Doctor Zhivago

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of its original publication, here is a new translation of the classic story of the life and loves of a poet/physician during the Russian Revolution....

Russian Philosophical Feast

By
SydSavvy
on
02-16-13

The Surgeon

A Rizzoli & Isles Novel

By:
Tess Gerritsen

Narrated by:
Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 5 hrs

Abridged

Overall

883

Performance

559

Story

562

He slips into their homes at night and walks silently into bedrooms where women lie sleeping, unaware of the horrors they soon will endure...

The Surgeon

By
Elizabeth
on
11-19-07

The Mistletoe Murder

And Other Stories

By:
P. D. James

Narrated by:
Jenny Agutter,
Daniel Weyman

Length: 2 hrs and 55 mins

Unabridged

Overall

107

Performance

98

Story

99

Four previously uncollected stories from one of the great mystery writers of our time - swift, cunning murder mysteries (two of which feature the young Adam Dalgliesh)....

I worship at the alter of p d james

By
Sherrie Lindley
on
08-09-17

The Turn of the Screw

By:
Henry James

Narrated by:
Emma Thompson,
Richard Armitage - introduction

Length: 4 hrs and 40 mins

Unabridged

Overall

2,028

Performance

1,909

Story

1,899

When a governess is hired to care for two children at a British country estate, she begins to sense an otherworldly presence around the grounds....

Great, but Mightn't be the Best on Audible

By
Gillian
on
03-16-16

The Bean Trees

By:
Barbara Kingsolver

Narrated by:
C. J. Critt

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Unabridged

Overall

776

Performance

626

Story

633

Clear-eyed and spirited, Taylor Greer grew up poor in rural Kentucky with the goals of avoiding pregnancy and getting away....

a dear favorite

By
Gypsycat
on
02-22-14

4 3 2 1

A Novel

By:
Paul Auster

Narrated by:
Paul Auster

Length: 37 hrs

Unabridged

Overall

311

Performance

284

Story

288

Nearly two weeks early, on March 3, 1947, in the maternity ward of Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, Archibald Isaac Ferguson, the one and only child of Rose and Stanley Ferguson, is born....

Too much detail.

By
Jax
on
03-03-17

The Cruel Sea

By:
Nicholas Monsarrat

Narrated by:
Simon Vance

Length: 17 hrs and 47 mins

Unabridged

Overall

509

Performance

480

Story

477

Darting back and forth across the icy North Atlantic, Compass Rose played a deadly cat-and-mouse game with packs of German U-boats lying in wait beneath the ocean waves....

I was privileged to discover this book.

By
Patrick🍀
on
12-14-16

Publisher's Summary

New doctor Andrew Manson looks forward to his post in a Welsh mining community, but he finds practicing medicine in such primitive conditions very different from his training. He makes friends, but also enemies.

First published in 1937, this book was groundbreaking in its treatment of the contentious theme of medical ethics. It is credited with laying the foundation in Great Britain for the introduction of the Nation Health Service a decade later.

Story

Incredibly bad recording

I first read this book more than 50 years ago and, perhaps, i wanted to "recapture" my youth, However, this recording sounds like it was made in 1937 - when the book was first published - and the reader sounds like a BBC announcer from that period. Not only that but his mistakes have not been edited out. Unless you need the nostalgia - give this a miss.

A must-read for physicians

This story highlights ethics in Medicine and is as true and valid now as it was in 1937. Many reviewers have criticised the recording and it is certainly dated both from a technical as well as a linguistics viewpoint. The narrator can be heard to cough, shuffel papers and make mistakes, which he corrects openly. However, in his defence, I would say that Mr. Engleman speaks the Standard English spoken widely (especially on the BBC) in the mid twentieth century and at the time the book came out. He masters the accents of the Welsh miners, the Scottish hero, Andrew, his Yorkshire wife, an American scientist and his West End coleagues. The only accent that grates somewhat is his own. Modern UK English has changed considerably and his would seem archaic to most British listeners not to mention those on this side of the pond.However, these considerations should not prevent anyone from listening to one of the best novels on health care delivery for the past 100 years.

great book, great author

Where does The Citadel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

very near the top. i wish audibles would get more a.j. cronin. particularly The Green Years.

What did you like best about this story?

all of his stories are tight, well written stories. the characters are so real, so down to earth, with big dreams and very human hearts. i adored the main characters here. i also like the way cronin introduces new characters. very seamless writing. you never know you are listening.

What about Franklin Engelmann’s performance did you like?

it wasn't the best recording...but then i'm one who takes my old, impossible to find cassettes, and puts them on my computer. anything for a great story! i was so caught up in this story that the reader did not bother me at all. unless you are VERY bothered by the reader, don't let that put you off. i thought he did a great job reading it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes, i did cry. it broke my heart because i loved the characters so much. if you know what it means to grow and pay a price for it, you will feel the same.

Love and Respect for the Profession

Dr. Manson started his career as an assistant in a poor Walsh mining town. By his own industry, professional friends' intervention, and his beloved wife's faithful support, he rose to the challenges of different medical practices in 1920's England, yet almost lost his soul in the lucrative but disingenuous London private practice. The beguiling plot centered on a man's love and respect for the his profession against the current of ignorance, greed, and convenience. The recording quality is very poor.

Great story but poor quality on narration!!

Never listened to a poorer r quality recording! Even found instances where corrections were included. For instance "he reddened readied himself for...". Editing out errors would be a great idea!!! Story was very interesting so I dealt with it but wouldn't attempt another.

everyone on medicine should read it

This was an excellent story not only about the maturing of a young doctor but also about the challenges of human nature that can corrupt medical practice and the institutions that represent medicine. I enjoyed the older vocabulary and style of writing. The narration and varying of voices and ascents were superb. I would not recommend this book to anyone who might get hung up on the less than pristine nature of older recordings.

relevant.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sort by:

Overall

Anne

09-27-11

Poor recording

This is a recording for the blind and of very poor quality. The story is a great one what a shame it wasn't given its due by rerecording it.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Overall

Performance

Story

N. Hammond

11-07-15

A great story well read

Where does The Citadel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This story is a treasure. Better by far than the slightly moralising dramas of the finely portrayed BBC TV Dr Finlay's Case Book series. I really enjoy the older RNIB stories, the story tellers, though often pushed for time and with far from high class facilities, did a great job.

What other book might you compare The Citadel to, and why?

I wouldn't, it is unique. Not having the modern forensic love of gore and yet not being an All Creatures Great And Small (for humans) or a Mrs Miniver gloss on the reality of British life at the time - seen from a hands-on medical perspective.

Have you listened to any of Franklin Engelmann’s other performances? How does this one compare?

There are none on Audible, so far as I can tell. Other, that is, than in brief BBC NEWS snippets on Reality Broadcasts from the War Years, and occasionally introducing BBC broadcast recordings of classical music concerts. But I'd be delighted to hear more of this model of broadcast voice modulation.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

That's How It Was

Any additional comments?

Some people may be put off by the tinny, rather hollow sound production, but given the age of the recording, and the purpose - for those of us who have difficulties with reading (because of poor sight) - it is a marvel that it has survived at all. I cherish my copy, and thank both the RNIB and Audible for allowing us to have the chance to hear both Cronin's stories and the wonderful Franklin Englemann .. the Voice of both BBC Radio News and the Third Programme for many years. I for one will be glad to explore more RNIB (and Franklin Englemann) recordings if they become available.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Overall

Performance

Story

Carole P.

12-04-17

Loved this book

Old fashioned delivery. Poor characterisation of women yet it filled me with joy and pleasure.

Overall

Performance

Story

Charles

03-13-17

In Audible

What would have made The Citadel better?

Better sound quality

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Citadel?

The entire story is memorable

What didn’t you like about Franklin Engelmann’s performance?

Everything! Pauses, line fluffs and poor quality voice.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Reflection on our health system

Any additional comments?

Every Audible book I have has been excellent quality with clear voicing, until this one, it really is (In Audible) in places.

Overall

Performance

Story

jesjaspers

03-20-16

Great story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Great humanitarian story set in 1920s pre National Health Service when GPs dealt with infectious diseases such as diptheria, chickenpox, measles etc, operated with ether and chloroform, performed surgical proceedures on kitchen tables and in confined, claustrophobic and dangerous industrial conditions such as at the coal face deep within mines in complete contrast to the triage system their inhabit today and their cases loads full of wellness related lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, obesity etc Ignore the performance and enjoy the story.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance is spoilted by bad sound, stuttering, wrongs words BUT the narrator does have a nice reading voice. So get over the issues of the recording and listen to a great storyline. The book deserves a re-recording.